Multipurpose wearable hair care towel and methods for wearing and using the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a wearable towel configured for assisting with the styling of one&#39;s hair and methods of wearing and using the towel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/872,034, entitled “Multipurpose Wearable Hair Care Towel,” filedon Jul. 9, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The disclosed concept relates generally to towels used for hair care.More particularly, the disclosed concept relates to a wearable towelparticularly suitable for curly hair and methods for wearing and usingthe same.

2. Description of Related Art

In caring for hair that is curly, wavy, coiled or kinky (hereinafter,“curly”), the hair must be styled when it is wet and in its naturalcurly state, to achieve optimal results. Styling includes, for example,raking products such as gels, conditioners and creams through one's wethair. Gathering sections of one's curly hair at the ends and squeezingwith the towel in the palm of one's hand towards the scalp, while thehair is wet, is known as “scrunching.” Scrunching removes water from thehair while encouraging, rather than disturbing, the curl. In contrast topersons with curly hair, individuals with straight hair are able tosimply rub a towel around because they do not have a curl pattern todisturb. Typically, a person with curly hair who comes out of the showeror after a wash at the salon would style her hair with products and haveher hair scrunched with a rectangular towel. While styling andscrunching, water and products will tend to drip and potentially soakand damage the person's neck, shoulders, back and chest, unless there issome sort of covering atop those areas. Such covering may typicallyinclude, for example, one or more towels lying over the top of theperson's torso, or alternatively a single rectangular towel clippedtogether (e.g., using a hair clip) at two ends.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a person wearing a conventional rectangular towel.The towel in FIG. 1 is loose and the towel in FIG. 2 is clipped togetherat two ends. The towel of FIG. 2 is clipped with a separate fastener(e.g., hair clip) just below the neck to retain the towel about the neckof the wearer. Such a configuration is bulky, awkward and does notprovide ideal coverage of the upper torso, especially over one's back. Ahair clip used in this fashion can be clunky, get in the way of stylingand cause the towel to bunch up around the neck. Often, the clip willcome off, inadvertently causing the towel to fall. Moreover, due to thesize and shape of standard towels, one would need to use a separatetowel or remove the towel from around one's neck in order to scrunchone's hair, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the case of using morethan one towel, the experience could be awkward and burdensome. Whereonly a single towel is used to scrunch with no covering on a person'storso, the person can be potentially soaked by her hair in the process.

There thus is a strong need for a towel that addresses one or more ofthe aforementioned drawbacks of conventional towels and methodstypically used when styling curly hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one optional embodiment, a wearable towel is provided.The wearable towel is configured for assisting with the styling of one'shair. The towel includes a piece of fabric having a generally circularor oval perimeter when the piece of fabric lays flat. The piece offabric has a first end at one point on the perimeter and a second end atanother point on the perimeter, opposite the first end. The first endincludes a slit running from the perimeter towards the second end, theslit leading to and opening into a neckband that is optionally round.The neckband is positioned generally in a central portion of the towel,the neckband being configured to seat around one's neck. The slitdefines a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and second edgebeing configured to adjoin and/or overlap and fasten to one another. Thefirst edge has at least one integral or permanently affixed firstfastener component. The second edge has at least one integral orpermanently affixed second fastener component. The first fastenercomponent is configured to removably retain the second fastenercomponent in a fastening relationship so as to form a fastener assembly.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the piece of fabric is made from amicrofiber material. The inventors have found a microfiber material tobe best for curly hair when drying, as the typical cotton/terryclothtowel is abrasive due to the raised fibers which causes fizziness,disruption of the curl spiral, and breakage/damage to the hair.Microfiber is a smooth and gentle material, yet powerful, removingexcess wetness without drying out hair, damaging hair or otherwiseruining the look or styling process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements andwherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a front view of a person wearing aconventional prior art rectangular towel, loosely seated around her neckand shoulders.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a front view of the person wearing theprior art towel of FIG. 1, wherein portions of the towel are clippedtogether about the front part of the person's neck.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the person utilizing the prior art towel ofFIG. 1 to scrunch her hair.

FIG. 4 is another illustration of the person utilizing the prior arttowel of FIG. 1 to scrunch her hair.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of a portion of the abrasive looped raised cottonmaterial of a conventional prior art towel.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of a smooth microfiber material that mayoptionally be used for a multi-purpose wearable hair care towelaccording to an aspect of the disclosed concept.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a multi-purpose wearable hair care towelaccording to an optional aspect of the disclosed concept, in a flat andfully laid out position.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the towel ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a person wearing the towel of FIG. 7 about herneck and shoulders, the towel being fastened along two adjoining edgesin the front of the person so as to secure the towel onto the person'supper torso and cover a substantial portion of the person's torso.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of a portion of the illustration of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a back view of the person wearing the towel as described withrespect to FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the person wearing the towel as described withrespect to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the person wearing the towel of FIGS. 7-10 asa head wrap, e.g., as a turban.

FIG. 12 is a back view of the person wearing the towel as described withrespect to FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a photograph of the person wearing the towel as describedwith respect to FIGS. 8-10 and simultaneously using it to scrunch herhair.

FIG. 14 is another photograph, like FIG. 13, of the person wearing thetowel as described with respect to FIGS. 8-10 and simultaneously usingit to scrunch her hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed concept will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments are shown. Thisinvention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth here. Rather,these embodiments are examples of the invention, which has the fullscope indicated by the language of the claims. Like numbers refer tolike elements throughout. Unless indicated otherwise, the featurescharacterizing the embodiments and aspects described in the followingmay be combined with each other, and the resulting combinations are alsoembodiments of the present invention.

Referring now in detail to the various figures of the drawings whereinlike reference numerals refer to like parts, there is shown in FIG. 5 aportion of an abrasive looped raised cotton material of a prior arttowel. Such a towel may be made from terry cloth. While in the broadestsense, a towel according to the disclosed concept is not limited to anypreferred material and may even, in come embodiments, be made from terrycloth, it is preferred that a towel according to the disclosed conceptbe made from a very smooth fabric material. One particularly preferredmaterial for a towel according to the disclosed concept is a microfibermaterial, such as that shown in FIG. 6. Microfiber materials tend tocomprise synthetic fibers that are finer than one denier or decitex perthread, each fiber having a diameter of 10 μm or less. Microfiber may bemade from a polymer, e.g., polyester, polyamide, polypropylene or amixture of two or more of the foregoing. Microfiber material isparticularly desirable for persons with curly hair because the materialis smooth and gentle, yet strong and effective. Microfiber material iscapable of removing excess wetness without overly drying or damaging thehair or otherwise ruining the curly look during the styling process.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 7A, there is shown a wearable towel 10configured for assisting with the styling of one's hair. The towelincludes a piece of fabric 12 having a generally circular or ovalperimeter 14 when the piece of fabric 12 lays flat. In a preferredembodiment, the piece of fabric 12 comprises microfiber, as set forthabove. The towel 10 has a first end 16 at one point on the perimeter 14and a second end 18 at another point on the perimeter, opposite thefirst end 16.

The first end 16 includes a slit 20 extending from the perimeter 14 andrunning in a direction towards the second end 18. The slit 20 leads toand opens into a neckband 22 positioned generally in a central portion24 of the towel 10. The term “central portion” 24 is used herein toindicate a position generally inward of the perimeter 14, which caninclude the geometric center of the piece of fabric 12, but is notnecessarily limited thereto. Optionally, the neckband 22 is positionedwithin the central portion 24, at a location closer to the first end 16of the towel 10 than the second end 18. The neckband 22 is optionallyround and is preferably configured to fit snugly and comfortably arounda person's neck when the towel 10 is worn.

The slit 20 defines a first edge 26 and an opposing second edge 28. Asshown, the first edge 26 and second edge 28 are substantially linear inconfiguration and parallel to one another when separated, but otherconfigurations are also contemplated. The first edge 26 and second edge28 are configured to adjoin and/or slightly overlap with each other. Thefirst edge 26 and second edges 28 are also configured to fasten, one tothe other. The first edge 26 comprises at least one integral orpermanently affixed first fastener component 30. The second edge 28comprises at least one integral or permanently affixed second fastenercomponent 32. The first fastener component 30 is configured to removablyretain the second fastener component 32 in a fastening relationship soas to form a fastener assembly 34 or closure. In other words, thefastener assembly 34 is formed when respective fastener components 30,32are connected to each other. Optionally, one or more such fastenerassemblies 34 are provided. Formation of a respective fastener assembly34 effectively connects the first edge 26 and second edge 28, making thetowel 10 a wearable article. The fastener assembly 34 is configured tohelp retain the towel 10 when worn on a person, while being relativelysimple for the wearer or a stylist to manually unfasten and remove.

The fastener assemblies 34 are visible in FIGS. 8 and 8A, wherein aperson is wearing the towel 10 about her neck and shoulders. The towel10 is fastened along its adjoining first edge 26 and second edge 28 onthe front of the person, so as to secure the towel onto the person'supper torso and cover a substantial portion of the person's torso. Thefastener assemblies 34 shown are snap buttons. However, alternativefastener assemblies or closures may be used, including, but not limitedto: button and button hole; hook and loop (e.g., Velcro style fastener);hook and eye; zipper; buckle; and magnets.

As shown, when the first edge 26 is connected to the second edge 28, thetowel 10 becomes a wearable article that comfortably seats around theperson's neck and shoulders, covering the person's upper torso. FIGS. 9and 10 show back and side views, respectively, of the person wearing thetowel 10 on her upper torso. As shown, much of her body beneath her hairis covered to prevent her from getting wet when her hair is wet (e.g.,from washing) and ready to be scrunched. The towel 10 is comfortable towear and allows the wearer to apply hair care products (e.g., oiltreatment, conditioner or protein treatment) and/or makeup whilepreventing her body from becoming wet from dripping water or tainted byhair care products coming out of her hair.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the versatility of the towel 10, as it is used hereas a head wrap, e.g., a turban. Such a configuration allows forexcessive moisture to be absorbed efficiently prior to scrunching. Thisconfiguration also keeps the persons hair out of her eyes while drying.Optionally, the towel 10 includes a head wrap fastener assembly 36(e.g., comprising snap buttons or any of the other exemplary fastenercomponents disclosed herein) at the second end 18. The head wrapfastener assembly 36 is configured to create a fastening relationshipwith corresponding fastener components to facilitate securing the towel10 when worn as a head wrap. After wearing the towel as a head wrap,e.g., to dry wet hair, a person may optionally wear it as shown in FIGS.8-10.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show the person simultaneously wearing the towel 10 asdescribed with respect to FIGS. 8-10 and scrunching her hair. The towel10 is advantageously sized, shaped and configured to permit its wearerto protect her torso from water emanating from her hair while also usingthe same towel for scrunching. As such, this towel 10 is particularlyadvantageous for a person with curly hair. The circular or oval shape ofthe towel 10 provides an ideal fit for comfort, ease of use and motion.This shape rounds over the shoulders without extra fabric folding as arectangular towel would do (compare FIG. 8 of the disclosed concept toFIG. 2 of the prior art).

Optionally, the towel 10 is usable in a professional setting (e.g.,salon) or may be used by a person who styles her or his own hair athome.

Optionally, a method for wearing the towel 10, e.g., as shown in FIGS.8-10, is provided. The method includes draping the towel 10 over one'supper torso such that the neck band 22 wraps around the neck of theperson and the slit 20 is approximately centered vertically down theperson's chest. As such, the first end 16 of the towel 10 is positionedon the front of the person and the second end 18 is positioned on theback of the person. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, the towel 10, whendraped over the person, includes a longer section positioned on thepersons back and a shorter section positioned on the person's front.Next, a first fastener component 30 is removably retained to acorresponding second fastener component 32 to form a fastener assembly34. Optionally, more than one fastener assembly 34 is formed (e.g., twoor more snap closures or hook and loop closures may be used). Thisfastens the first edge 26 with the adjoining second edge 28 along thefront of the person so as to secure the towel 10 onto the person's uppertorso and cover a substantial portion of the person's torso, includingthe chest, shoulders and a substantial portion of the person's back,optionally the person's entire back. The towel 10 should be generallyspread out on the wearer to provide the aforementioned coverage.Optionally, the method further comprises scrunching one's hair with thetowel while simultaneously wearing the towel 10.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the piece of fabric 12 is a single layerof water permeable material. In other words, the towel 10 does notinclude a water impermeable layer, such as a plastic or rubber layerconfigured to be impervious to water or hydrophobic. Further, the towel10 may comprise an outer side (facing outward when worn as shown inFIGS. 8-10) and an inner side (facing inward when worn as shown in FIGS.8-10), wherein both the outer side and inner side are configured to dryhair. Optionally, in such an embodiment, both the outer side and innerside comprise a microfiber material, both of which are configured toabsorb water and thus dry hair.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable towel configured for assisting withthe styling of one's hair, the wearable towel comprising: a. a piece offabric having a circular or oval perimeter when the piece of fabric laysflat, the piece of fabric having a first end at one point on theperimeter and a second end at another point on the perimeter, oppositethe first end; b. the first end comprising a slit running from theperimeter towards the second end, the slit leading to and opening into aneckband, the neckband positioned generally in a central portion of thewearable towel, the neckband being configured to seat around one's neck;c. the slit defining a first edge and a second edge, the first edge andsecond edge being configured to adjoin or overlap and fasten to oneanother, the first edge comprising at least one integral or permanentlyaffixed first fastener component, the second edge comprising at leastone integral or permanently affixed second fastener component, whereinthe first fastener component is configured to removably retain thesecond fastener component in a fastening relationship so as to form afastener assembly.
 2. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the pieceof fabric is made from a microfiber material.
 3. The wearable towel ofclaim 2, wherein the microfiber material comprises synthetic fibers thatare finer than one denier or decitex per thread, each fiber having adiameter of 10 μm or less.
 4. The wearable towel of claim 2, wherein themicrofiber is made from at least one member selected from the groupconsisting of: polyester, polyamide and polypropylene.
 5. The wearabletowel of claim 1, wherein the fastener assembly is a member selectedfrom the group consisting of: a. snap button; b. button and button hole;c. hook and loop; d. hook and eye; e. zipper; f. buckle; and g. magnet.6. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the piece of fabric is asingle layer of water permeable material.
 7. The wearable towel of claim1, wherein the wearable towel does not include a water impermeablelayer.
 8. The wearable towel of claim 1 comprising an outer side and aninner side, wherein both the outer side and inner side are waterabsorbent.
 9. The wearable towel of claim 8, wherein both the outer sideand inner side comprise a microfiber material.
 10. The wearable towel ofclaim 1, wherein the neckband is positioned at a location closer to thefirst end of the wearable towel than the second end.
 11. A wearabletowel configured for assisting with the styling of one's hair, thewearable towel consisting essentially of: a. a single piece of fabrichaving a circular or oval perimeter when the piece of fabric lays flat,the piece of fabric having a first end at one point on the perimeter anda second end at another point on the perimeter, opposite the first end,the single piece of fabric made from a microfiber material having anouter side and an inner side, wherein both the outer side and the innerside are water absorbent; b. the first end comprising a slit runningfrom the perimeter towards the second end, the slit leading to andopening into a neckband, the neckband positioned generally in a centralportion of the wearable towel at a location closer to the first end ofthe wearable towel than the second end, the neckband being configured toseat around one's neck; c. the slit defining a first edge and a secondedge, the first edge and second edge being configured to adjoin oroverlap and fasten to one another, the first edge comprising at leastone integral or permanently affixed first fastener component, the secondedge comprising at least one integral or permanently affixed secondfastener component, wherein the first fastener component is configuredto removably retain the second fastener component in a fasteningrelationship so as to form a fastener assembly.
 12. A wearable towelconfigured for assisting with the styling of one's hair, the wearabletowel comprising: a. a piece of fabric having a circular or ovalperimeter when the piece of fabric lays flat, the piece of fabric havinga first end at one point on the perimeter and a second end at anotherpoint on the perimeter, opposite the first end, the single piece offabric made from a microfiber material having an outer side and an innerside, wherein both the outer side and the inner side are waterabsorbent; b. the first end comprising a slit running from the perimetertowards the second end, the slit leading to and opening into a neckband,the neckband positioned generally in a central portion of the wearabletowel at a location closer to the first end of the wearable towel thanthe second end, the neckband being configured to seat around one's neck;c. the slit defining a first edge and a second edge, the first edge andsecond edge being configured to adjoin or overlap and fasten to oneanother, the first edge comprising at least one integral or permanentlyaffixed first fastener component, the second edge comprising at leastone integral or permanently affixed second fastener component, whereinthe first fastener component is configured to removably retain thesecond fastener component in a fastening relationship so as to form afastener assembly; wherein the wearable towel does not include a waterimpermeable layer.
 13. A method of for wearing the wearable towel ofclaim 11, the method comprising: a. draping the wearable towel over aperson's upper torso such that the neck band wraps around the person'sneck and the slit is approximately centered down the person's chest; andb. removably retaining the at least one first fastener component to thecorresponding at least one second fastener component to form thefastener assembly, thus securing the first edge to the second edge abouta front of the person's torso and securing the wearable towel onto theperson's upper torso to cover the person's chest, shoulders and asubstantial portion or entirety of the person's back.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 further comprising the step of scrunching the person's hairusing the wearable towel while the person wears the wearable towel. 15.A method of for wearing the wearable towel of claim 12, the methodcomprising: a. draping the wearable towel over a person's upper torsosuch that the neck band wraps around the person's neck and the slit isapproximately centered down the person's chest; and b. removablyretaining the at least one first fastener component to the correspondingat least one second fastener component to form the fastener assembly,thus securing the first edge to the second edge about a front of theperson's torso and securing the wearable towel onto the person's uppertorso to cover the person's chest, shoulders and a substantial portionor entirety of the person's back.
 16. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising the step of scrunching the person's hair using the wearabletowel while the person wears the wearable towel.